Recognizing that an older adult may be suffering from mistreatment, neglect, or loss of their life savings is painful and overwhelming. If you suspect an older adult is being harmed or cannot safely care for themselves, you do not have to investigate the situation alone or prove what is happening before you ask for help.
This guide explains how Adult Protective Services works across the country, outlines the main agencies that safeguard vulnerable adults, answers practical questions about making a report, and helps you take the right next steps with confidence.
Start here
If anyone is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical attention, call 911 right away. For all non-emergency concerns, the best first step is to contact your local Adult Protective Services agency directly or call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to get connected. You can also explore the Eldercare Locator online or dial the 211 helpline to find local social services and support organizations in your community.
Key programs and resources
- Adult Protective Services. This state and county agency investigates reports of mistreatment, exploitation, and self-neglect involving older or vulnerable adults and connects individuals with supportive community services.
- Long-term care ombudsman program. Ombudsmen advocate for the rights of residents living in assisted living facilities and nursing homes, as detailed by the National long-term care ombudsman resource center.
- Area Agencies on Aging. These local public agencies coordinate in-home meals, transportation, and family caregiver supports to help older individuals remain safe and supported at home.
- State licensing agencies. State health and licensing departments inspect regulated care facilities, review formal complaints, and enforce safety standards for licensed residential care providers.
- Financial institution reporting units. Trained staff at banks and credit unions monitor accounts for unusual activity and can flag suspected financial exploitation under federal protections.
- BenefitsCheckUp. The National Council on Aging provides this free online tool to help older adults check their eligibility for public programs that reduce financial stress.
Common questions
- What is Adult Protective Services and what happens during a standard intervention?
- Who qualifies for Adult Protective Services based on age, personal vulnerability, or independence?
- How to report elder abuse when you observe physical, emotional, or environmental warning signs, with helpful educational guidance from the National Institute on Aging?
- What is elder financial abuse and what common red flags signal stolen property or fraud?
- Report abuse in assisted living facilities to protect residents through the right regulatory channels.
- Report abuse by a family member while handling delicate relationship dynamics and ongoing safety concerns.
- Report elder abuse anonymously if you worry about personal retaliation or privacy risks.
- What happens after reporting once an official agency opens an intake file and reviews the facts?
- How to prove financial abuse by gathering clear paper trails, bank statements, and legal records.
- Do banks report abuse when front-line financial staff notice suspicious account withdrawals or changes?
What to have ready before you call
- Personal details. The adult’s full legal name, current home address or facility location, date of birth or approximate age, and current living arrangement.
- Specific observations. Clear dates, times, and observable facts regarding injuries, unexplained changes in behavior, extreme weight loss, or safe living environment issues.
- Financial records. Notes on unusual bank activity, newly named joint account holders, missing valuable property, or recent changes to legal powers of attorney.
- Involved parties. The names and contact information of suspected individuals, visiting caregivers, primary physicians, or family members who may have relevant information.
- Safety considerations. Any known medical conditions, cognitive issues such as dementia, accessibility barriers, or potential risks to visiting social workers.
Program rules are set federally but run through state and county offices; eligibility and service availability vary by location and change over time, so please confirm current guidelines with your local protective services agency.